The discovery of the infant Moses by Pharaoh's daughter is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, marking the divine orchestration of Moses' preservation and future leadership. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 2:1-10.

Context and Background

The Israelites were living in Egypt under harsh conditions, as Pharaoh had decreed that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be thrown into the Nile River to curb the population growth of the Israelites (Exodus 1:22). During this time, a Levite couple, Amram and Jochebed, gave birth to a son. Recognizing the child as special, they hid him for three months (Exodus 2:2).

The Act of Faith

Unable to conceal him any longer, Jochebed crafted a basket of papyrus, coated it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3). This act of faith demonstrated Jochebed's trust in God's providence, as she entrusted her son to the waters of the Nile, which had been decreed as a place of death for Hebrew boys.

The Discovery

Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, accompanied by her attendants. As she walked along the riverbank, she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to retrieve it. Upon opening the basket, she found the crying baby and felt compassion for him, recognizing him as one of the Hebrew children (Exodus 2:5-6).

Divine Intervention and Compassion

Pharaoh's daughter's response to the infant Moses is significant. Despite her father's edict, she was moved by compassion, which can be seen as a divine intervention in the preservation of Moses. Her decision to adopt the child defied the cultural and political norms of her time, indicating a higher moral calling that transcended her royal status.

Miriam's Role

Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, approached Pharaoh's daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Pharaoh's daughter agreed, and Miriam brought Jochebed, Moses' mother, to nurse him. Pharaoh's daughter instructed Jochebed to care for the child, promising to pay her wages (Exodus 2:7-9). This arrangement allowed Moses to be raised in his early years by his biological mother, ensuring that he was nurtured in the faith and traditions of the Hebrews.

Adoption and Naming

When the child grew older, Jochebed brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son. She named him Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). The name "Moses" is derived from the Hebrew verb "mashah," meaning "to draw out," symbolizing both his rescue from the Nile and his future role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Significance in Salvation History

The discovery of Moses by Pharaoh's daughter is a testament to God's sovereignty and providence. It highlights the theme of deliverance and the unexpected ways in which God can work through individuals, regardless of their background or status. This event set the stage for Moses' eventual rise as the leader and deliverer of the Israelites, fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.